No comments about Inkpaduta: Dakota Leader.

1 comments about Civil War Generals: An Illustrated Encyclopedia (American Civil War).

1. A book on Civil War generals that doesn't include Pat Cleburne? John Bell Hood (b.1831-d.1879) said in the book to have died "four years" after the war? An "encyclopedia" on individuals that frequently ommits places and dates of births and deaths? The Civil War Society, author of this book, should be embarrased.

2 comments about Spain's Cause was Mine: A Memoir of an American Medic in the Spanish Civil War.

1. "Spain's Cause Was Mine: A Memoir of an American Medic in the Spanish Civil War," by Hank Rubin, is a well-written and enlightening narrative. A large chunk of the book details the long odyssey that took him from Los Angeles and through France enroute to service in Spain--a quest taken in defiance of an international non-intervention pact. This section of the book is a real adventure story with an almost dystopian flavor.
   
   Equally fascinating is the portion of the book detailing his actual time with the Spanish army, during which he served in a machine gun squad and as a medical laboratory technician. Rubin explores the unique challenges in putting together a multinational, multiethnic, and multilingual fighting force. He details the illness, discomfort, and deprivations that the troops endured in order to uphold their ideals.
   
   In addition to covering such down-to-earth issues as mail call and footgear, Rubin also offers some potent reflections on wartime morality and medical ethics. Particularly interesting are his thoughts on the impact of his Jewish identity on his decision to enlist. His writing style is largely straightforward, but graced with occasional passages of great beauty and power.
   
   Rubin's narrative really educated me about the unique place of Spanish Civil War veterans in the United States. This book is a valuable and enjoyable addition to the canon of American military memoirs.



2. One of my main historical interests is the Spanish Civil War and the role played in it by the International Brigades to combat Franco's Nationalist forces. I read "Spain's Cause Was Mine" a couple of years ago, but I recently revisited it and was once again struck by the humanity, nobility and idealism of Hank Rubin. Any historian of the International Brigades will tell you, that a good number of volunteers were college students. Rubin begins his account by retelling how, while sitting on the steps of the UCLA library, someone approached him and asked him if he would like to fight in Spain. He replied 'yes.' So begins his journey from college student to volunteer, to medic, to casualty, and cecoming ultimately, survivor. Rubin provides a simple yet poignant narrative of what went through his mind and what all the volunteers had to face in combat. While initally, disappointed that he was not assigned to front-line duty, he came to appreciate his role behind the scenes. This actually, allowed him to absorb it all and put down his thoughts in writing.
   
   Rubin writes about some of the brutal campaigns from Brunete to Teruel and Grañen. He also places the Spanish Civil War in an international context, noting Germany and Italy's aid to Franco's troops and the US position of maintaining an embargo against the Spanish Second Republic. To anyone knowledgeable about the Spanish Civil War, this isn't anything new. However, coming from an actual participant, who was fully aware of his own government's indirect complicity in causing the demise of the Spanish Second Republic, it is worth reading.
   
   I was touched by a poem written by Rubin following the death of a comrade at arms, who he was unable to save in the medic tent. It captures fear, hesitation and pain that too often accompanies any soldier who goes off to war. I quote it here: "From far away, from Everett on the Puget Sound with the peace of its water the serenty of its green hlls you came from so far to a dusty plain, to mountains without peace. You expected to fly to strike the enemy boldly from the sky, guns roaring your strong hands guiding your plane, triggering your guns. Instead you had to fight on foot, did you ever expect to die? To have a bullet in your head? To suffer your guts torn apart? And was it worth it? Was the pain too much? Was there even pain for you? Was the cost of death too high?
   
   This is an excellent memoir from someone who participated in an event that far too many Americans are unaware of. I recommend this to anyone interested in learning more about the Spanish Civil War. Other recommended books along this vein: Peter Carroll's "The Odyssey of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade," and "American Commander in Spain," by Marion Merriman and Warren Lerude.

5 comments about Oblivion: The Mystery of West Point Cadet Richard Cox.

1. As a graduate of West Point I had never heard of this case, of course the Academy covering things up is not unheard of. I also recommend another novel about West Point titled THE LINE by another graduate.



2. I enjoyed the story; it is a very interesting subject. But too many leads and dead ends are thrown in, and the book becomes confusing and disjointed. Also, it ends with Robinson's story being accepted as the final word as to what "really" happened. How do we know we can take this man's word as gospel, any more than what anyone else said? How do we know it's not just another hoax or more speculation? Or, as the book suggests, was it merely an effort to get Jacobs off the case, for whatever the reason may be? I applaud Jacobs and his excellent, painstaking research. But I still don't think we have a definitive, reliable answer to this mystery. To be sure, the offered conclusion is plausible, but there remain too many questions left unanswered. A good yarn, but I remain unconvinced.



3. ...and I wanted it to be good so badly! But, it just was not to be. This is a book about someone who did a lot of research and decided to publish every word of it, rather than just the pertinent information. It becomes irritating to continue to learn information about the subject, only to be told that it is all totally worthless. And, the end is anti-climactic. In the end, a diligent researcher accepts the word of a single source as fact. Doesn't seem like the same man. Perhaps he was just ready to retire. I suggest this would make a pretty good movie, but not a book.



4. This book held my attention as I read it practically cover to cover. It is very interesting, albeit annoying at times as the author goes in great detail about numerous leads, only to have them ruled out a few pages later. I can see why the author did that -- to show the exhaustive work done by CID and FBI investigators, and also to give the reader a small, small taste of the incredible frustration these investigators must have felt at the time. The problem with the book is that it is highly anti-climatic. The researcher, Jacobs, did not "give up" (as some have implied), he basically solved the mystery it's farthest moral extent. I do recommend reading this book, as it shall hold your attention through and through, but be prepared to be disappointed with the anti-climatic end.



5. I've been interested in the Richard Cox mystery since I was very little and read about it in LIFE magazine in 1950 and then a few years later in CORONET. From time to time over the years I would research the topic hoping for new information. I'd almost given up until I came across this book , containing lots of details never before disclosed. Unfortunately, as mentioned in some of the above reviews, the proposed "solution" at the end is thoroughly unconvincing.

5 comments about A METEOR SHINING BRIGHTLY.

1. A Meteor Shining Brightly : Essays on the Life and Career of Major General Patrick R. Cleburne by Mauriel Phillips Joslyn is a collection of numerous essays about the life of Confederate Major General Patrick R. Cleburne. It is organized in chronological order so as to depict his entire life. The decision to organize the book in such a manner forms the foundation for the primary weakness of the endeavor. The book is not necessarily the best essays on Cleburne's life and the different authors prevent any continuity from chapter to chapter other than time.

   There are certain parts of Cleburne's life that are appropriate for the essay format. Several areas are the early years in Ireland and it effect on his latter career, Cleburne's proposal that slaves be freed and incorporated into the Confederate Army and his death at the Battle of Franklin. In addition, the issue of how an individual who understood and identified with the downtrodden of Ireland could have been so devoted to the Confederacy which was based on the slavery of human beings is not even mentioned in the essays. Instead of treating these issues in depth, the collection at best treats them as another part of Cleburne's life. This is a shame, for Cleburne's life, and especially his proposal to enlist slaves into the Confederate Army, deserves a more in depth treatment.

   The collection seems to be trapped between its desire to be a biography and a collection of essays exploring different views of Cleburne's life. By trying to do both, it did neither well. The collection does succeed in putting forward the facts of Cleburne's life in a fairly easy to read format. The individual authors are all well qualified and write well. However, if one is looking for a straight forward biography of Cleburne, I would suggest Stonewall of the West : Patrick Cleburne and the Civil War (Modern War Studies) by Craig L. Symonds.




2. Being a non-historian (this is the only history book I've read cover to cover in 7 years), I was initially dreading reading this book. However, its well-organized format, its to-the-point style (to which almost all of the authors ascribed), and its information were incredible. This is an enjoyable read. FYI, I also sent an e-mail to the author of the book as I was tracking down Cleburne's original work, and she very graciously replied within a day, informing me that his work was at the University of Arkansas. READ THIS BOOK!!!



3. A majority of the essays in this book are quite well done, but a few shallow efforts such as Alethea Sayers' quite-clearly poorly researched article leave gaping holes in the text. Cartwright's effort is well-presented and Joselyn's article, while written with readability in mind leaves the reader with more questions than answers. A consistantly written biography of Cleburne would be preferable to this halting, sometimes good, sometimes bad collection.



4. A Meteor Shining Brightly is an absorbing read of many aspects of Cleburne's life:

   1. His family background and struggles in 1840s Ireland.
   2. His acceptance by the people in his adopted hometown of Helena, Arkansas.
   3. Early war years and well-earned promotions.
   4. Particular battles: Shiloh, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Ringgold Gap, Pickett's Mill, Atlanta, and finally, Franklin.
   5. His controversial, yet well-thought out proposal to offer freedom for slaves who offered to fight for the Confederacy (slavery was doomed to fail and the Confederacy, led by Robert E. Lee, sought to include slaves as soldiers towards the end of the war).
   6. His obviously strong moral character.
   7. Proclivity to shyness around women and his intense and successful courtship of Susan Tarleton (too bad he did not survive the war and marry Susan!).
   8. His sensitive nature (yes, men can be strong and sensitive).

   Having been a Cleburne admirer for many years, all I can say is:

   What a read!

   I highly recommend the book for anyone interested in learning more about a very capable and often overlooked Civil War general.




5. Perhaps my main objection to this collection is one must enter the undertaking with the assumption that Patrick Cleburne was both infallible and the almighty's gift to the Confederacy. If you are a die hard Cleburnite, you will enjoy the sermons. If you are objective in your approach, or just looking for more background information on the man, the collection will leave you wanting.
   
   Good biographical sketches offer their subject warts and all. This is not done here. Several of the essays are not well researched, casting the entire volume in poor light. In sharp contrast White's work well done. At the same time, as typical for Joslyn's work, the overall tone is so jaundiced against the Federal side, one wonders why the Yankees ever could win a battle, much less the war!

5 comments about The Harper Encyclopedia of Military Biography.

1. One thing about it, this book and "maybe" another one would replace all those biographies that take up too much room on one's bookshelf (especially mine). I especially like it when a good majority of our nation's military leaders (those on the Joint Chiefs) are included when no other volume even comes close. Great job, Colonel, and also outstanding work, Mr. Johnson



2. While studying early greek "Christian Forfathers" and their lives and influences, ALOT of names get mentioned. When such a name is mentioned you think to yourself..: "who is this?", "why did the author mention this person?, what context should I look at this in?" Often times proper understanding behind the names mentioned can be the key that opens the door to context. I bought this book And it's companion
   (ISBN: 0062700561) The Harper Encyclopedia of Military History From 3500BC to the Present (from a third party vendor). Niether one have let me down in accuracy or thoroughness. And has repeatedly helped me achieve a more accurate view of history itself as well as how it has been shaped by militarys. A 'must have' for any home library.



3. Time and time again, I reference this book in my research of military history. It contains just about every important figure and many less important figures. There is no bias for ancient, dark, medieval, or modern history. In fact, it covers all ages and fights. I have also found that there is no nationalistic bias. These figures are presented in terms of their major accomplishments, without regard to value judgments.



4. I cannot agree more with the above people. This book provides an incredible amount of information on each person and is an invaluable reference for any military historian. However as i was reading it, I discovered that several individuals were not included. After some research, I disovered a large number of soldier/statesmen who I felt deserved some mention, if anything to see their treatment in a work like this. I understand size restraints and readers may agree or not with my list, but that is what reviews are all about. I have grouped them in the following categories:
   1. HOW COULD YOU MISSED THEM?
   Alfred the Great, Attila, Bismark, Charles Martel,Cyrus the Great, DeGaulle, Epaminondas of Thebes, Robert Bruce, Tito.
   
   2. IF YOU INCLUDED (FILL IN BLANK) WHY NOT:
   English Admirals: Drake, Forbisher,
   German Generals: Hans Hube, Spaatz.
   French Warrior Kings: Francis I, Louis IX (St Louis).
   US Generals: Simon Buckner, Terry Allen, Jubal Early, Gavin, Dupuy, Starry, Vuono, Fred Franks, Lew Wallace, John Buford.
   English Warrior Kings: George II, Henry I.
   British Generals: Richard O'Connor (N. Africa, WWII)
   
   WHILE WE'RE AT IT, WHY NOT:
   John Graham Montrose, Archibald Campbell Argyll, Henry (Hotspur) Percy, Charles Edward Stuart, Ealdorman Brintnoth (Maldon 991), Canute, Brian Boru, William Marshall, Robert Guiscard, Harold Godwinson, Harald Hardrada, El Cid, Boudicca, historical King Arthur (Mt Badon), Godfrey de Buillon, Raymond of Toulouse, Bohemond of Taranto, Charles the Bold of Burgundy, Sigismund (Holy Roman Emperor), Henry IV (ditto), Henry the Lion, Toktamish (Golden Hoard), Subutai, Theodoric of the Visigoths (Chalons), Ramses II, Antigonus, Mithrades of Pontus, Seleucus, Titus, Joshua Chamberlain, Marshall William von Roggendorf (Seige of Vienna)and why not any Biblical leaders (Joab for instance).
   One nitpick; Ambrose Burnside was a good division commander and was not ready for higher command. He was however, a brilliant innovator. His amphibious operations along the east coast were very successful and his plan for the Crater operation would of succeeded if his superiors didn't replace his black unit, trained to exploit the detonation, with an inexperienced white unit.



5. "The Harper Encyclopedia of Military Biographies" is an excellent resource for information on more than 3,000 of the most important military figures of all time.
   The listings are alphabetically listed, and provide information about the major events in the life of the figure, in what wars he served, when he lived, his legacy, major victories and defeats, enemies, allies, and other information. The listings range in size from several sentences to three or four pages, depending on the importance of the figure. Sources are listed at the end of every listing.
   Anyone interested in military history should own this book. It reigns supreme as a quick reference guide to military figures. Another good source is "The Military 100", which provides biographies several pages in length about 100 of the most influential military leaders in history.

1 comments about The Arctic Fox: Bush Pilot of the North Country.

1. Don Braun volunteered to fly for the Canadians during WWII and stayed in Canada after the war as a bush pilot. Don flew the far North with Wardair from the begining and proved himself to be a talented pilot in an unforgiving land. I found the stories to be well written and usually fascinating. Don was a pro in a type of flying that did not tolerate fools or mistakes. He pioneered some of the early routes and bush airstrips.

   Although a bit homespun at times the stories themselves overshadow any tendency for skimming. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to readers that enjoy Northern flying and adventure stories. There are not many books on Canadian bush flying, most are about Alaskan pilots. This one is one of the better accounts of post WWII Canadian flying.

No comments about The Conqueror's Son: Duke Robert Curthose: Thwarted King.

3 comments about Ace!: A Marine Night-Fighter Pilot in World War II.

1. ACE is a good look at the world of WWII night pilots. It brings with it the Marine punch that delivers the grit and form to keep a reader enthralled.



2. Having met Bruce Porter, I can honestly say the guy is a jewel. Sure, I was all of ten then but he was just a nice, funny guy. His book is a illustration of this. His opening anecdote is of how the Marines "stole" him from the navy. From there it is the very best of history written by a man who was there.
   
   I highly suggest this book to historians, Marines, vets and aviators the world across. Anyone else too.



3. I could barely put this book down. It was a reviting story from the first page to the last.
   The author also did not get into the "I'm so great" attitude that so many people do. Fighter pilots seem espcially prone to this idea.
   It was also written in a nice simple matter that takes the time to explain what was going on for those who are not familair with the Second World War.
   It is a great first person account of the air war in the Pacific.

5 comments about House of Abraham: Lincoln & the Todds, a Family Divided by War.

1. Abraham Lincoln is one of the most-written about men in the English language. As a long-time Lincoln-buff, I don't mind that there are so many books, but I have to admit, I occasionally wonder if we've reached diminishing returns. A lot of Lincoln books are what I'd call "old wine in new bottles."
   
   But House of Abraham really is that rare thing: a truly new and important perspective on Abraham Lincoln. Having read most of what there is on Abraham and Mary, let me just say what I think is new here: First, the author fleshes out the Southern wing of the Todd family for the first time. These are some seriously colorful characters: David Todd was arrested for desecrating corpses in a Richmond jail; Samuel Todd and Alex Todd were Confederate soldiers killed in action; George Todd abused African-American prisoners who had been taken while storming Battery Wagner; Emilie Todd, widow of a Confederate Brigadier, spent a week in the White House, despite the scandal; Margaret Todd smuggled contraband through Union lines, on and on. In all my reading I'd never known any of this.
   
   Second, the author connects these scandals to Mary's growing unpopularity in Washington. Many books have mentioned that Mary lost three half-brothers on the rebel side (the author proves that it was only two), but none have demonstrated so clearly why her family-ties became such a problem.
   
   Finally, while House of Abraham begins as a book about the Todds, it becomes more and more a meditation on family, on the nation as a family, and on Lincoln's evolving understanding of the War. Ultimately, the author convinced me that Lincoln saw the Todds as a microcosm of the nation and that he understood the war as a "mosaic of family crises."
   
   As some of the other reviewers have pointed out, the book isn't very long, but considering it limits itself to saying something actually new about the most-written-about-man-in-America, I don't think that's surprising. Team of Rivals (which I loved) was 900 pages, but not that much of it was new. It was really the framing that was so impressive. In fact, I'd recommend reading Team of Rivals and then House of Abraham in succession. They make a terrific pair.



2. Stephen Berry's work House of Abraham: Lincoln and the Todds, A Family Divided by War is a wonderful addition to the field of Lincoln historiography. His work is very insightful to the machinations of the Todd family. The Todd's were truly a family divided by the Civil War and its aftermath. The work is well written and researched throughly by the author. Lincoln's extended family, i.e. the Todd's were surely an embarassment for the president and his wife. However, even though many of the Todd's were confederate sympathizers, Lincoln always was supportive of his wife's sisters. This is a fine work on Lincoln and essential for Lincolnites to read.



3. This is an entirely new perspective of the Lincoln family, specifically that of his wife's. While there is much known about Abraham Lincoln's wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, as well as their oldest son, Robert Todd Lincoln, who was the only child to live to a ripe old age, I know very little about the Todd Family, and was especially intrigued that a book had finally been written on this little known side of the Lincoln family. Although the book was short, and, as admitted by the author, only a cursory story of several of the members of the Todd family could be done, it was admittedly an interesting book and whetted my appetite for additional information on the Todd Family. I found that the book added a few more pieces to the complex character and personality of Abraham Lincoln the man, and found further that his "melancholia" that is so much discussed was not solely due to the failures of many of his generals, the exorbitant loss of life in the battles of the conflict, the political intrigues of the Radical Republicans and the Democratic-Copperheads, but also partly due to the inner family turmoil that he and Mary experienced with their own family, specifically the Todds. Truly, Abraham Lincoln was quite prophetic when he said that a "House divided against itself cannot stand", and surely this could be said of the Todd family who themselves were divided with several family members serving in the armed forces of the Confederacy and the Union, several killed in battle, and one assassinated. I would recommend this book, and hope to see further detailed studies of the Todd Family in the future.



4. Their have been some good Civil War family biographies lately. The Whalen's book on the Fighting McCook's and this book on the Todd family come to mind. Family biographies can help us understand the human cost of the Civil War as no other histories can. As family members die, we understand the war's causalities in very personal terms gaining an idea of what this costs those involved.
   
   The McCook family had no conflicted loyalties, no question of who to fight for nor any hesitations in committing to a side. They were able to establish a record of service fighting for the Union that was unique. The Todd family had conflicted loyalties, questions on who to fight for and hesitated in committing to a side. A large slave owning family from Kentucky with an in-law in the White House would cause problems for everyone. Lincoln, his wife, her brothers & sisters their spouses created a series of confrontations, personal and political problems that make up this story.
   
   The author introduces the Todd family and the principle people giving us a solid foundation for the story. Lincoln tries to keep as much of the family on the Union side as possible. His efforts delay some members "going South" and produce some real political problems in 1861 for him. Each year of the war is a chapter. This allows us to follow everyone from assignment to assignment or battle to battle. Against this backdrop, Lincoln's personal life and family problems becomes worse and worse. Each newspaper story, each battle death adds to Lincoln's problems and Mary's woes. However, at Springfield as Lincoln is buried, the Todd in-laws stand as family.
   
   The author is easy to read and manages to keep all the story lines together. These are not likable people and he clearly does not like them. This come through in a number of places and may have colored the story. In addition, the author makes misstatements about the battle of Shiloh and the POW exchange. None of his mistakes are major but he is accepting of popular stories as opposed to good scholarship. A nice touch is to take each person from 1865 to his or her death. This is always something I look for in this type of book and feel is really important. The author does an excellent job on each person giving the reader a feel for who they were.
   
   Overall, this is a very readable book. The people are well drawn allowing us to see their world and have some understanding of their choices. In addition, the author shows how the divisions in Lincoln's personal family helped him reach out to the national family as reflected in many of his speeches.



5. Why did the majority of the Todds choose the South over the North? Their's was a border state that stayed in the Union. They owned too few slaves to have fortunes staked on the system. On p. 174 Berry defines the Todds as being "shrill with hatred... collapsed in self interest and grief". What drove them to this?
   
   Are they really "a once happy family" as Berry says? The litigation over their father's estate belies this. The litigation not only left their father's second wife (mother of 6?) dependent, but also disinherited those, like Mary, who had already had gifts from the father. Did early favoritism cause the rift as much as the war?
   
   Lincoln appears to be the model brother-in-law. Risking charges of favoritism and nepotism, Lincoln helps his Union oriented brothers-in-law (who also married Todds), giving one the ability to contract for provisions (which he exploits and when challenged threatens blackmail) and another a coveted army position away from the fray in the west. He entertains a Confederate Todd in the White House, and provides a pardon for another who will not take an oath of allegiance to the country that pardons her. His tolerance and charity towards his family recalls his tolerance of McClellan and a host of cabinet officers of similarly dubious motives.
   
   Mary personalizes the Confederate allegiance in her family as a fight against her. Maybe Mary was close to being right. Some seem to bask in the status of being able to malign a relative. Others just expect too much which can breed disappointment even under normal conditions. Maybe some of their intensity was a family rebellion against the one grown up who, by chance, had married into their family.
   
   While the book is short, it is not entirely focused. For a book on the family, too many of its precious paragraphs are devoted to sketching the war such as the battles of Manassas and Shiloh and the seige of Vicksburg. I would have liked a reference table in the beginning showing the birth order of the Todds and their marriages. Most importantly it needs some discussion on why the Todds did what they did.
   
   In a lighthearted afterward the author describes his research. While a lot went into this effort, I hope it is not thorough, because I would like to know more of these Todds.